Firesign Theatre Presents Nick Danger... (1983)

Synopsis
by Hal Erickson

Most baby-boomers still nurture fond memories of the Calfornia-based comedy troupe known as The Firesign Theater. One of the group's most popular offerings was the 1969 record album, All Hail Marx and Lennon, the second side of which consisted of the old-time-radio spoof "Nick Danger, Third Eye." With existential cunning, Danger dealt with such worthies as the sinister Rocky Roccoco (inspired by Peter Lorre, and in turn the inspiration for a chain of pizza parlors). As funny as ever, the Firesigners (Philip Proctor, Phil Austin, Peter Bergman et al) star in the 60-minute video Nick Danger in the Case of the Missing Yolks. The detective-spoof buffoonery is secondary to the video's main plotline, concerning a futuristic family and their dangerously interactive TV set. Like the vintage "Firesign Theatre" albums of the 1960s and 1970s, the seemingly haphazard Nick Danger etc. possesses a goofy sort of logic which becomes obvious only after repeated viewings.